Premium paid to buyback shares of recalcitrant shareholders is to facilitate smooth running of business and is allowable as revenue business expenditure

From the case-laws referred to in the said commentary, it is amply clear that while accepting the compromise or settlement between the two warring groups, for a proceeding under ss. 397 and 398 of the Companies Act, 1956, the Court will keep in mind the prime interest of the company as well as public interest. Therefore, to say that the interest of only two warring groups has been kept in mind is not correct. It is difficult to contribute or accept the view canvassed by the Revenue that the assessee has obtained any right or advantage which would affect its capital structure. The settlement in this regard, as pointed out earlier, was that as a result of the compromise the assessee acquired the shares and the share capital was reduced. Now this aspect of the matter, as we have stated earlier, merely represented the mode of settlement and it cannot, therefore, be the test to be applied to determine the question whether the assessee derived any benefit on capital account. In fact, the M/s. Brahma Bazaz Hotels Ltd. A.Y. 2006-07 assessee had got rid of the disadvantageous relationship which resulted as a result of disputes between the two warring groups of shareholders. The Supreme Court had occasion to consider similar controversy in the case of CIT vs. Ahok Leyland Ltd. 1973 CTR (SC) 9: (1972) 86 ITR 549 (SC) in which the apex Court has held that the principles which flow from the above cited decisions clearly suggest firstly that the enduring benefit in itself is not a conclusive test. Secondly, it is necessary to consider whether the enduring advantage consisted merely facilitating the assessee’s operation or enabling the management and conduct of the assessee’s business to be carried on more efficiently or more profitably while leaving the fixed capital untouched, then such expenditure would be on revenue account. Thirdly, the question must be viewed in a larger context or business necessity or expediency. Having regard to the above test in the case of Empire Jut Co. Ltd. (supra), the point which would arise for consideration would be whether the expenditure incurred for getting rid of the minority shareholders, who were creating difficulties, would be an expenditure on revenue account. The authorities relied upon by the learned counsel for the assessee show that payment made to secure peace and harmony and smooth management of the company, the interest of business would serve and that is the whole purpose of such payment. Therefore, the amount paid for this purpose was on revenue account. Applying those principles, the position to our mind is clear that by getting rid of the minority shareholders, the company could not be said to have acquired any enduring benefit. Secondly, even if it is assumed that an enduring benefit has been obtained, even then such enduring benefit is not relatable to fixed capital structure of the company because it has neither increased the assessee’s assets nor the company could be said to have acquired any right of income yielding nature. The act of writing off of share capital by way of reduction, may, on the first blush, suggest that the capital structure of the company has been affected, but it is not so if the facts are examined a little more closely. The reduction of the share capital was merely a consequence of the agreement which has to be given effect to, that too by an order of the Court where the interest of the company as well as of the public has to be necessarily kept in mind. Thus writing off of share capital by way of reduction as per the terms of consent decree merely was a consequential action and did not itself represent any effect on the capital structure or the acquisition of any right yielding income or advantage on capital account. Therefore, we have no hesitation in holding that the impugned expenditure, which was incurred in order to facilitate the smooth running of the business by getting rid of the recalcitrant group of shareholders, was an expenditure incurred out of business expediency and, therefore, wholly and exclusively incurred in the course of carrying on of the business. Similar issue came up for consideration before the Tribunal in the case of Atul Chemicals Industries Ltd. (supra) wherein the Tribunal considering the earlier decision in the case of Inland Revenue vs. Carron Co. 45 Tax Cases 18 and other cases, came to the same conclusion. The learned Departmental Representative has pointed out that a reference has been granted against the said decision. Therefore, it was pleaded that it has not reached finality. So far as this contention of the learned Departmental Representative is concerned, we are of the opinion that merely granting a reference of the question will not show that the decision is wrong. Unless it is disturbed, it is a sound decision, especially keeping in view the purpose of ss. 397 and 398 of the Companies Act, 1956.